Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Qiao Nan, who was in a daze after hearing Zhai Sheng’s introduction, instinctively responded by calling them uncle and auntie. The problem was that this was a conversation meant for boyfriends and girlfriends. She did not share such a relationship with Zhai Sheng.
Now that she knew who Zhai Yaohui and Miao Jing were, she had no right to address them as uncle and auntie. She had to use honorifics when addressing them, just like how ordinary people would address them.
“We’ll be a family soon. There’s no need to be so courteous and address us so distantly. Addressing us as uncle and auntie will do.” Miao Jing had tried her best to restrain herself but had still failed miserably. And so she took large strides toward Qiao Nan and grabbed Qiao Nan’s hands without giving her the chance to refuse.
Yes, her hands were a little rough, but she could tell that Qiao Nan was a hardworking lady. A hardworking lady was good. With Qiao Nan around, neither she nor Old Zhai would need to worry about Zhai Sheng anymore. Qiao Nan would definitely take good care of Zhai Sheng.
What Miao Jing had been most concerned about was not just whether Qiao Nan would be able to take care of Zhai Sheng, but also whether Zhai Sheng would be willing for Qiao Nan to take care of him. But she had confirmed that Zhai Sheng would be willing for this. It was truly difficult to find someone whom Zhai Sheng was pleased with.
Based on this alone, Miao Jing had already rated Qiao Nan a high score of ninety in her heart.
“Ha, haha…” Qiao Nan was so frightened that she could not utter a word. They would be a family soon? She knew what each of those words meant, but now that they formed a sentence, it seemed that her brain failed to understand what the whole sentence meant. “You’re too kind, madam.”
“Call me Auntie Miao.” Miao Jing insisted. “Come, have a seat. You’ve come a long way. Tell auntie if you’re hungry. I’ll let Xiao Zhao prepare whatever you want to eat.”
Qiao Nan could only sit down with Miao Jing dragging her along, but she was sitting very uneasily. This was getting stranger. Earlier, she had been in the same position as Xiao Zhao and had been hired to take care of Zhai Sheng. She had been the one cooking. In such a short span of time, she had become a guest of the Zhai family and could enjoy Xiao Zhao’s service.
“Auntie, I’m not picky. I’ll eat whatever is served. I’m sorry for inconveniencing you. I didn’t want this to happen either. I didn’t expect that I would have to stay in the Zhai family’s old villa for a month because I couldn’t find any temporary accommodation now that it’s almost the new year. Auntie Miao, I hope you won’t find me a burden. Once my house is repaired in a month’s time, I’ll definitely return home. I’m sorry for troubling you. Of course, I’ll try my best not to add to your troubles.”
Qiao Nan was unsure if Miao Jing had misunderstood her relationship with Zhai Sheng. The way she spoke and her attitude toward her did not seem as though she viewed Qiao Nan as a friend who was bunking over for a month. It seemed more as though… But that was not the case between Zhai Sheng and her. There was nothing going on between the two of them.
Zhai Sheng was already divorced and was now single. If the elderly couple misunderstood the relationship between her and Zhai Sheng, causing a delay in Zhai Sheng’s remarriage, she would be in big trouble. “Brother Zhai is a really good person. Because we’re from the same hometown, he’s generously offered me a room after finding out that I’m in trouble. Brother Zhai’s such a good person. I believe that good people will be well-rewarded. Brother Zhai will surely find the right person and lead a blissful life in the future.”
Whether or not she had been misunderstood, Qiao Nan felt that it was best for her to clarify her stance. Even if Zhai Sheng were to have someone in mind, it would never be her! The elderly couple had better not make a mistake and anger Zhai Sheng’s true prospect, which might even lead to a breakup!
“Yes, you’re right. My son may not have much to say, but he’s a good and responsible man. I believe that whoever marries him will be very fortunate too. At that time, the two of them will lead their own blissful lives. Then, his dad and I will never have to worry about him anymore.” Miao Jing nodded vigorously and praised Zhai Sheng so much so that it seemed as though Zhai Sheng was an unsellable product that she could not wait for Qiao Nan to take away with her.
In that way, the moment Zhai Sheng left with Qiao Nan, the latter would be the one in charge of everything related to Zhai Sheng. Then, she and Zhai Yaohui would have fulfilled all their duties as parents.
Qiao Nan’s head hurt. Could it be that she had not made it clear enough with her words? But she felt that she would offend someone if she were to be any more explicit. Why was Auntie Miao still behaving in this manner? Was there something wrong with the way she had phrased it? What else could it be? For the first time, Qiao Nan realized that she was not good with words.
Seeing that Qiao Nan was on the verge of tears because of Miao Jing, Zhai Sheng pulled Qiao Nan up. “We have quite a few rooms in this villa. Although you’re only going to be here for a month, you can pick the room that you like best so that you’ll feel comfortable. Come on, I’ll go with you.” If he allowed his mother to go on, Qiao Nan might really just be scared away.
“Huh? Oh.” Qiao Nan did not think that it was necessary for her to choose a room for herself. She could stay in any room they picked out for her. But at this moment, Qiao Nan would much rather follow Zhai Sheng to pick out a room than stay behind and face Miao Jing’s incessant questioning. It would be too awkward.
After Qiao Nan was dragged away by Zhai Sheng, Miao Jing excitedly hit Zhai Yaohui’s elbow so much so that Zhai Yaohui grimaced in pain. “Did you see that? Did you see that? That rascal took the initiative to hold that lady’s hand! Ha, I really didn’t see it in him to take advantage of a girl just like that. Does he really think I’m blind? That lady has absolutely no feelings for Zhai Sheng. How could he be so shameless as to act like a hooligan and hold her hand?”
Qiao Nan’s hands were a little rough but compared to her son’s, they were still rather small and tender.
She had never expected that rascal, Zhai Sheng, to make a move, and when he did, he had been so shameless to take advantage of her, acting as if he was saving a damsel in distress!
Acting shameless was one thing. She would overlook it as long as he managed to marry her and give her a granddaughter or a grandson. She did not care about anything else.
Zhai Yaohui rubbed the area where Miao Jing had just hit him. “Zhai Sheng only did so because he was afraid that you would scare her away. Didn’t you say that Qiao Nan doesn’t have any romantic feelings for our son? I guess you can say that she’s either righteous or cowardly.”
Qiao Nan was aware of the gap between herself and the Zhai family, as well as Zhai Sheng. That was why she never thought that it was possible between her and Zhai Sheng. Qiao Nan simply pretended as though she had not heard anything and had not understood any of Miao Miao’s words, or perhaps she had stubbornly insisted that she had misinterpreted Miao Miao’s words.
